Metallurgical method and apparatus



June 27, 1944. H, ER 2,352,321

METALLURGICAL METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed July 29, 1941 a W Harry fleu14/705445).

Patented June 27, 1944 -Appli c ation ulyr2 9,

metals, 'more.. .parlticularly molten pig iron when the velocity ofreaction depends upon the provision of fresh contact surfaces betweenthe slag and metal. Sulphur and phosphorous are examples of theimpurities removed from pig iron.

One object of the present invention is to accelerate the velocity ofreaction, depending upon contact between surfaces of the meta1 and ofthe slag, by presenting fresh contact surfaces between them according toan efficient comparatively inexpensive and reliable method; and anotherob-- ject of the present invention is to provide comparatively simpleeasily constructed and eflicient apparatus adapted to contain moltenmetal and supernatant slag in comparatively large volume, and to movethe same in such a way that fresh contact surfaces between the slag andmetal are presented, whereby the velocity of reaction is accelerated.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription at the end of which the invention will be claimed.

Generally stated the invention comprises the method of accelerating thevelocity of reaction between a mass of molten metal and supernatantslag, which consists in providing fresh contact surfaces between the twoby placing the mass in a vessel constructed to oscillate about itshorizontal axis, and having an extension eccentrlcally disposed inrespect to the horizontal axis, and causing flow of the mass byoscillating the vessel, and the invention further comprises a hollowvessel mounted for circular movement or oscillation about a horizontalaxis, and comprising a cylindrical wall provided at its ends withsemi-cylindrical wall extensions, and. provided at the ends of thecylindrical wall and of the semi-cylindrical wall extensions withsemi-circular heads, and provided at the extensions with decks joiningsaid heads, the extensions being spaced 90 apart, whereby when thevessel is nearly full of molten metal and supernatant slag andoscillated, there is endwise flow which presents fresh contact surfacesbetween the metal and the slag.

The invention also comprises the improvements to be presently describedand finally claimed.

In the following description reference will be made to the accompanyingdrawing forming part hereof and in which,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of apparatus embodyingfeatures of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 1, taken vertically andtoward the observer through the center of the vessel at the chargingopening, and

The present. invention relatesto refining: molten I Figure 3 'is similarto Figure zstlievie'wbeing in=the opposite direction; I 7

Referring to the drawing, the hollow vessel there shown is mounted formovement of oscillation upon rollers l, and there are means not shownfor oscillating it. The vessel comprises a cylindrical wall 2 whichdefines a hollow body portion. The wall 2 is provided at its ends withsemi-cylindrical wall extensions 3, and it is pro vided at the ends ofits cylindrical wall 2 with semi-circular heads 5, and at the ends ofthe semicylindrical wall extensions 3 with semi-circular heads 6. Theextensions 3 are provided with decks 1, which join the heads 5 and 6.The extensions 3 are spaced apart. Thevessel is provided with a chargingopening 8.

It may be remarked that the described vessel is, of course,appropriately lined.

The method of the invention may be described in connection with theforegoing apparatus, although its practice is not in all cases limitedto that form of apparatus. The vessel, referring to Fig. 2, is filledwith molten metal as molten pig iron to the level aa,-and on top of themelted and fluid pig iron the melted or fluid slag is known as b. Themass of molten metal and slag is measurable in tons, and it retains itsheat and fluidity for a considerable length of time. When the vessel isoscillated through an angle of approximately 90, there is an endwiseflow principally of slag, which presents fresh contact surfaces betweenthe metal and the slag, and in that way the velocity of reaction isaccelerated.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is notlimited in respect to matters of mere form of construction andprocedure, or otherwise than as the appended claims may require so thatmodifications may be made in such matters without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Metallurgical apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical hollowbody mounted for movement of rotation about its horizontal axis, andhaving at its ends hollow semi-cylindrical extensions communicatinginternally with the hollow body, and. disposed eccentrically in respectto the axis of the body, and having generally semi-circular headsrespectively closing the ends of the body and the ends of thesemi-cylindrical extensions, and having generally flat decksrespectively closing the peripheral portions of the extensions, theextensions being spaced substantially 90 apart.

2. Metallurgical apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical hollowbody mounted for movement of rotation about its horizontal axis, andhaving at its end a hollow semi-cylindrical extension communicating withthe interior of the body, and disposed eccentrically in respect to saidaxis, and having heads closing the end of the body and the end of theextension and a. deck closing the extension and joining the heads 3.Metallurgical apparatus comprising a hollow vesselmou'ntedTforoscillation, and comprising a cylindricarwa'll provided atits ends with semicylindrical wall extensions, and provided at the endsof the cylindrical wall and of the semi-cylindrical wall extension withsemi-circular heads, 15-

and provided at the extensions with decks joining the heads, theextensions being spaced 90 apart, whereby when the vessel is nearly fullof molten metal and supernatant slag and oscillated, there is endwiseflow which presents fresh contact surfaces between the metal and theslag.

Metallurgical apparatus comprising va hollow vessel mounted forcircularmovement, and

' the cross sectional area of said mid-portion, and

"communicating with the interior of the shell, and

"arranged eccentrically in respect to said axis,

whereby when the shell contains molten metal and supernatant slag to alevel above the entrance to the extension, and the shell and extensionis oscillated, there is endwise flow principally of slag presentingfresh contact surfaces between the metal and the supernatant slag;

1 HARRY HEUER.

